Syrian President Beshar al-Assad declared that Syria opposes military aggression against Iraq. In a statement to the Italian Corriere de la Sera newspaper, he said: "As a state neighboring Iraq and as an Arab brotherly country, naturally we should sympathize with Iraq and oppose any military action against it." Moreover, in his view, creating more tension and disturbance would not benefit America. President Assad asked: 'Is bombing Iraq part of combating terrorism...? Will bombing Iraq achieve justice in the world and restore human rights?"